Luke 22:61

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

And {G2532} the Lord {G2962} turned {G4762}, and looked upon {G1689} Peter {G4074}. And {G2532} Peter {G4074} remembered {G5279} the word {G3056} of the Lord {G2962}, how {G5613} he had said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Before {G3754}{G4250} the cock {G220} crow {G5455}, thou shalt deny {G533} me {G3165} thrice {G5151}.

The Lord turned and looked straight at Kefa; and Kefa remembered what the Lord had said, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said unto him, Before the cock crow this day thou shalt deny me thrice.

Commentary

Context of Luke 22:61

This poignant verse occurs during the darkest hours of Jesus' earthly ministry, immediately following His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane and His illegal trial before the Sanhedrin. While Jesus is being mocked and beaten inside the high priest's house, His disciple Peter, who had earlier vowed unwavering loyalty (Luke 22:33), is outside in the courtyard, warming himself by a fire. Peter has just completed his third denial of Jesus, swearing he did not know Him (Luke 22:60). It is at this precise moment that Jesus, being led past, turns and looks directly at Peter, fulfilling the prophecy He had given just hours before.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Fulfillment: The verse powerfully demonstrates Jesus' omniscience and the accurate fulfillment of His prophecy. He knew precisely what Peter would do, even before it happened (Luke 22:34). This highlights God's sovereign control over events, even in moments of human failure.
  • The Power of a Look: The simple act of Jesus turning and looking at Peter is profoundly impactful. It wasn't a look of condemnation but likely one of sorrow, love, and perhaps even understanding. This glance served as a catalyst for Peter's immediate remembrance and subsequent repentance, highlighting the depth of Jesus' compassion even in His own suffering.
  • Human Frailty and Failure: Peter, a bold and devoted disciple, succumbs to fear and denies his Lord. This moment serves as a stark reminder of human weakness and the potential for spiritual stumbling, even among those closest to God. It underscores the reality that even strong believers can fall short.
  • Immediate Conviction and Repentance: The look from Jesus immediately brought Peter's sin to light and led to his deep remorse (Luke 22:62). This swift conviction is a sign of a truly repentant heart and the Holy Spirit's work.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "looked upon" (emblepō) implies a direct, fixed, and penetrating gaze, not a casual glance. This was a deliberate and piercing look that communicated volumes without words. The phrase "the cock crow" (alektorophōnias) refers specifically to the early morning crowing of a rooster, often marking the third watch of the night (around 3 AM). This detail anchors the prophecy to a precise time, emphasizing its immediate and undeniable fulfillment.

Related Scriptures

  • Compare the accounts of Peter's denial in the other Gospels: Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:72, and John 18:27.
  • For Peter's restoration after the resurrection, see John 21:15-17, where Jesus reaffirms Peter's call to service and leadership.

Practical Application

Luke 22:61 offers profound lessons for believers today. It teaches us about the reality of human fallibility and the potential for denial, even when we deeply love God. However, it also highlights God's unwavering love and His desire for our repentance and restoration. Just as Jesus' look brought conviction to Peter, the Holy Spirit often brings conviction to our hearts when we stray. This verse encourages us to remember God's word, acknowledge our failures, and turn back to Him with a repentant heart, trusting in His grace and forgiveness. It reminds us that even after significant failure, there is a path to restoration and renewed purpose in Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 22:34

    And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

  • Isaiah 57:15

    For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

  • Isaiah 57:18

    I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.

  • Jeremiah 31:18

    ¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself [thus]; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed [to the yoke]: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou [art] the LORD my God.

  • Jeremiah 31:20

    [Is] Ephraim my dear son? [is he] a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 36:31

    Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that [were] not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

  • Ezekiel 36:32

    Not for your sakes do I [this], saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
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